Veterans and county officials gathered Monday to mark the official groundbreaking of a new Veterans Resource Center in Hillsborough County.

  • One-stop shop for veterans services in store
  • State, county come through with funding

It will be built by the end of 2017 at Veterans Memorial Park and Museum.

Billed as a one-stop shop for veterans services, it will also house memorabilia.

Leonard Black, a 90-year-old veteran, said it's important for young people to know about veterans who served in wars before them. He said he gets emotional at the thought of the new center.

The building almost didn't happen. When the master plan was conceived in 2007, there was no funding for the service center.

But this year, the state and county came through with funding.

It's not only a thank you to those who have served, but also a promise to never forget the sacrifices they have made for our country.

"We want to spread news about veterans to the young people. We want folks to come here and see what the veteran has gone through, and get the feeling of patriotism," said Rafael Candelario, President of Hillsborough County Veterans Council.